News Releases - Faith-based

WASHINGTON – As Earth Day approaches, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a nationwide effort to help families learn about energy saving actions that can be taken while protecting the environment and their health. EPA is encouraging Americans to take part in the “Be an Energy Star” video challenge by picking up their home video cameras and documenting the energy-efficient actions they are taking in their home, school, workplace and community.

The videos will be featured on the Energy Star website and social networking websites where the public will view and vote for their favorite videos in the fall. The winning entries will be showcased on the Energy Star website during Energy Awareness month in October.
In addition to the video challenge, Americans can take the “Change the World, Start with Energy Star” pledge. The pledge is a way for individuals to commit to taking action on energy efficiency in their homes and daily activities such as switching to more efficient lighting, choosing Energy Star products, sealing and insulating homes, and using power management features on home computers and monitors.

To date, more than 2.7 million Americans have taken the Energy Star pledge, resulting in a reduction of more than 8 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions from using more than 400 million gallons of gasoline. In 2010, more than 400 local and national organizations led efforts to encourage their communities to take the pledge and do their part to protect the environment. The top five pledge drivers for 2010 are: Sears Holdings, Georgia Power Company, Ameren Illinois, Lockheed Martin and Nissan North America.
Energy Star was started by EPA in 1992 as a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the EPA Energy Star label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy-efficient specifications. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $18 billion on their energy bills while preventing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of 33 million vehicles.